Logan & Taylor are 8 months!

WOW, Logan and Taylor are so much closer to being 1-year olds than they are to being newborns. Just a week ago, I was holding a newborn baby, and it brought back memories of holding my own babies. It's hard to believe they used to be barely over 4 lbs each.

I used to think that it wouldn't be very different to have a baby boy or a baby girl the first year. But as I watch Logan and Taylor hitting and throwing toys all over the place, I am starting to think that boy traits can be seen early. I just can't imagine a little girl being that rough.

At 8 months, Logan (a.k.a. Mr. Thumb-Sucker):

- loves scratching and pinching daddy's face... and pulling his hair
- weighs 16 lb. 4 oz.
- throws himself backwards when he throws a tantrum
- had juice (twice)
- started eating Cheerios (by eating them off the table)
- started eating meats (but does not like ham)
- can get on all 4s (but doesn't move far)
- rode in the big-boy stroller (without carseat)
- had his first bath with toys
- got his first 2 teeth
- loves to babble dadadadadada
- loves to snuggle on mommy's chest while sucking his thumb
- eats solids twice a day
- had many rough nights because his gums were hurting

At 8 months Taylor (a.k.a. Mrs. Binkie-Man):

- loves pulling daddy's hair... and occasioanlly scratch and pinch his face
- weighs 14 lb. 7 oz.
- had juice (twice)
- started eating Cheerios (not by himself)
- started eating meats (but does not like ham either)
- got on all 4s a couple of times (did not move forward)
- rode in the big-boy stroller (without carseat)
- had his first bath with toys
- got his first 2 teeth
- loves to babble loudly
- loves to kiss mommy all over
- eats solids twice a day
- mostly sleeps through the night

They are both getting really loud at this whole babbling thing. It makes it a little harder now to go places, like the movie theatre or the restaurant. A lot of people are super nice about it, but others definitely give us dirty looks.
They definitely know how to get around. They don't actually crawl, yet, but they can move around on their tummies to get places, usually to each other.
They love to grab my feet. It's almost an obsession... maybe because I don't let them. Feet are gross, and I don't want them touching them and then putting their hands in their mouths.
Logan has another obsession: my hair. He loves to grab it, pull it, and then suck his thumb while holding on to my hair. And Taylor has an obsession with my hands. He loves to touch them, hang on to them, eat them, and hug them.
They both love to play with big-boy toys, like cell phones, remote controls, and whatever else is just laying around and they're not supposed to touch or play with.
Feeding them has gotten harder as they both get really distracted by each other and objects near by. They have also been trying to feed themselves, by grabbing the jars and spoons.
Logan does not enjoy being in his crib unless he is asleep. Occasionally he can entertain himself, but it doesn't happen much. Taylor is completely satisfied being in his crib, asleep or not. He can play with his binkie, the bumber, or look down on Logan. (Logan's crib is lower - I haven't gotten the energy to lower Taylor's, yet.)
We used to have a routine, but when those teeth started coming through, everything changed. Right now, we're still trying to figure out a new routine,... and change these 45 min. naps.
We often have to come to the rescue of Taylor because Logan has gotten to him and is trying to bite him. But we also have to come to the rescue of Logan because Taylor has gotten to him and is trying to bite him. These 2 can have a lot of fun together, but they can also be rough with each other. Boys will be boys, I guess.
They love shaking, hitting, biting, and pulling on toys. I cannot imagine a little girl playing that way, but no matter how hard I try to teach them to be soft, they play rough. I'm gonna have to keep a close eye on these guys or they'll seriously hurt each other.

What I'm looking forward to this month: a growth spur. These little guys need to gain some fat!

When I was a little girl...

I talk to my parents every Sunday; it's our tradition. This past Sunday, we talked about what I was like when I was a little girl...

Apparently, I was a little daredevil. Mom could never leave me alone, otherwise I would jump into swimming pools, climb onto furniture, etc. and get hurt.
I was kind of messy. I used to take a bunch of toys out, knowing well that my brother would clean up after me to keep me out of trouble.
I was also a little pooper. When we were very young, my brother and I would take baths together. It just happened that the bathtub was my favorite place to poop.
I was a smart-a**. Yep, no matter what was said to me, I always had a comeback, which was usually enough to keep the other person quiet.
I was also artistic, if you can call it that. I used to draw on walls, at home and other places. My brother was usually behind me, erasing my works of art.

But I was also disciplined. When it was bedtime and I was tired, I didn't wait to be put to bed, I just went on my own. (any mother's dream, right?)
I was independent. I could stay in my room for hours at a time, playing with my Barbies (and having them kiss Ken so passionately that his head fell off).
I was also organized. I especially enjoyed lining up my perfume bottles and lotions by height. I think I might also have done that with my stuffed animals.
I was a good listener. People enjoyed sharing their feelings with me because I listened to them without interrupting with advice or personal experiences.
Finally, I was caring. When I had some money, I usually spent it on others, including my brother's tithing.

I really enjoy hearing about my childhood. I remember a few things, but I always like finding out more. One of the things I remember is having to wait for what seemed like hours after church because my mom was talking to people. I remember being sooooo annoyed with it that I would keep pulling on her skirt and interrupting her. Mom, I am sorry I was much an impatient brat. Now I understand how important it is for a stay-at-home mom to have some social time with other adults. I love you, mom. You are the best.

Different pregnancies

One of my best friends just had a baby girl - a beautiful baby girl, if I may add =). While she was pregnant, she and I talked a lot about how different our pregnancies were. Now that she has had her baby, she and I talk a lot about how different our deliveries were. Besides the obvious, here are some of the key points:

Pregnancy:
-I was looking forward to gaining weight and getting really big. I knew that Logan and Taylor would be small because they would be delivered at 36 weeks (or before), so I wanted to get them as big and fat as possible.
- I was not looking forward to ultrasounds, most of the time. Sure it was nice to see my cute little guys every week, but my belly quickly got sick of the rubbing and poking. Imagine someone doing that to your belly over and over again, in the same spots, for 45 minutes to an hour.

Delivery:
- I never experienced labor, with the water breaking, contractions, and all. I also never had to push to get the babies out. Surprisingly for some, it is actually something I'd like to experience some day.
- I didn't get to hold my babies after the doc delivered them. But Billy did bring them to me so that I could see them. It makes me kind of sad to think that I wasn't the first person to hold them.

Unanswered questions:
- How long would have I been able to keep my boys in my belly if I hadn't had a scheduled C-section?
- Will I ever be able to experience labor and a normal delivery? I guess we'll find out... but not for a little while.

My big boys

People often say that children grow up too fast, and while they are 100% right, I find myself really looking forward to my boys' milestones. I guess that because they were preemies, I am sometimes afraid that they will be behind in some areas of development. I know it is completely normal for them to develop closer to their adjusted age than their actual age, but I just want them to fit in with their baby friends. I also know that they will reach milestones whenever they are ready and not whenever I think they should be ready, but I want them to successful at everything they do.

Anyway, Logan and Taylor both really enjoy walking with assistance, especially when the goal is... daddy =) So here are some videos:

Logan

Taylor

Floods 2010

Talk about luck. Since we've moved to Iowa, we have had some of the coldest winters and have seen two floods. We couldn't have gone to medical school at a better time. =S

This picture was taken while driving. Not the best, but you get the point.
No way to get to that platform, unless you want to... swim.

Half of the trail is open... the other is almost completely under water.

Those platforms again.

The water is usually at least 4-5 ft. below that level.

Those parts of the trail that are closed again.

The city of Des Moines.Normally you can't touch the water from the bridge, but right now you can.

Another trail under water.

We've got to find new trails to walk... this is not going to work.

Funny bedtime stories

Bedtime is one of my favorite times of the day. I just love to get into my pajamas with my hair down and no makeup, and lay right next to the Man of my Dreams for some good conversation. A little while ago, after a stressful and exhausting day, Billy said something that upset me. I honestly don't remember what it was, so it must have been very silly for me to get so upset about it. I just remember I wanted to punch him - I know, so unlike me, right? Of course, I couldn't punch him just because, so I got off my pillow, put it over his head, and punched it a couple of time. Then I picked it back up, and layed back down on it, feeling... well... kind of relieved. It has become a joke between us, and every now and then, we'll repeat this weird thing that I started.

This next one happened when Billy and I first moved to Iowa. For no apparent reason, I started elbowing Billy in the face in the middle of the night. After a couple of nights, Billy mentioned it to me, thinking that perhaps I was mad at him and was elbowing him on purpose. But I had no recollection of ever elbowing him in the face. Eventually, even though he was asleep, Billy was able to protect himself. It was as if he could feel the elbow coming his way, so he could raise his arm up and block my elbow. Still every day he reminded me of the fact that, yet again, I had elbowed him that night. I told him to stop mentioning it and that perhaps it would stop. Maybe, subconsciously, I was elbowing him just because he expected me to. Still every day he reminded me of the fact that, yet again, I had elbowed him that night. Eventually, when he could feel the elbow coming his way, he could grab my arm and throw it back my way. Now that woke ME up, but it still didn't stop me. It was only after he stopped mentioning the elbowing incidents that I did indeed stop elbowing him - proving my theory right. =)

And his last one happened when Billy and I first got married. I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling very uncomfortable and realizing that my pillow was missing. I looked over to Billy, who was looking very comfortable and was sound asleep. I thought to myself, "Oh no, he didn't!!!" So I placed one hand on his head, and with the other I pulled my pillow from under his head. His head fell a couple of inches and hit the matress kind of hard. Of course he woke up, looking confused and lost. As it turned out, my pillow had fallen off the bed, and it was his pillow I had pulled from under his head. Woops! =S

St. Patrick's Day & other pictures

I have to admit that green is not one of my favorite colors. But thankfully, we all did have some green in our closets.

Taylor

Logan
Logan having a good laugh with his daddy.

Taylor cuddling with his daddy.

Taylor likes to play with the remote control and phone.

It's dinner time!

Logan trying to tickle his brother's feet.

Logan reading a book.

Look-alikes

In the past, I've been told I look like Paris Hilton...

and Christina Applegate...

then this last Sunday, someone told me I looked like Sarah Jessica Parker.

Hmmm... What do you think?

Favorites

Today, I seriously just sat there, for like 10 minutes, just watching Logan and Taylor talking to and laughing with each other. Their laughs are the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. It made me realize how grateful I am to be able to hear, see, smell, taste, and touch. It also made me think of the things I can enjoy because of my senses.

Favorite sounds:
- my babies' laughs
- thunder and pouring rain
- ocean waves

Favorite sights:
- my babies' interactions with each other
- sunset on the ocean
- rain

Favorite smells:
- my babies after they take a bath
- freshly mowed grass
- freshly baked bread

Favorite tastes:
- chocolate
- fruit, especially cherries, oranges, watermelons, cantalopes, and raspberries
- veggies, especially cucumbers, tomatoes, and asparagus
(Note: this is the only sense where my babies are not mentioned.)

Favorite things to touch/feel:
- my babies' soft skin
- sand between my toes
- wind, rain, or sun on my face

I feel really blessed to have all my senses. I sometimes think that I should spend a day without one or more of my senses to truly appreciate them. The Lord has blessed me with more than I sometimes think I deserve, and I will forever be thankful for that.

Sugar Coated Hats!

My very talented friend, Erica, crochets those really cute hats. At first, she just made them for her little girl, but now she is making them available to everyone. I am so proud of her, and I have no doubt this will get HUGE. Anyway, check it out, you won't regret it:

sugarcoatedaccessories.blogspot.com

Billy's birthday - 1 week ago

This last Wednesday, we celebrated Billy's 29th birthday! That Monday, he started his E.R. rotation and his schedule has been weird but not bad. On his birthday, he worked from 6 p.m. to midnight, which gave me almost the whole day to spoil him. In the morning, I made him blueberry pancakes. Then I had him look for his present, which I had hidden underneath the couch - I helped him by leaving notes around the apartment. And for lunch, we went to the Cheesecake Factory. He really wanted to go to Flemings, but we will not be able to afford a $50 steak for a long time. Although I may surprise him for his 30th birthday... or graduation.

Logan and Taylor got a little fussy toward the end of our lunch, so we gave them a fry for entertainement. They didn't really eat them, they just sucked on them until they were wet and really gross. That was their first taste of fries, and they seemed to really enjoy it.

Logan & Taylor are 7 months!

This morning, Billy and I were talking about how this past month, Logan and Taylor have gained so much more understanding of their surroundings. Every day they explore and discover new things, and it is so much fun to watch.

At 7 months, Logan:

- eats my face and chews on my jaw (or in other words, he kisses me a lot).
- can sit up on his own and falls over only occasionally.
- wakes up once a night and occasionally sleeps through the night.
- eats all sorts of vegetables and fruits.
- started wearing his Belgian clothes.
- started eating his own feet.
- grabs his feet.
- got sick for the first time with a runny/stuffy nose.
- does not mind having his nose wiped.
- started playing the piano.
- started drinking water from a sippy cup.
- got his first booboo after falling over on the computer.
- said mama, dada, and baby, but I don't know if he' has made the connection.
- can move backward and in circles.
- is doing a lot more taking, and it sounds like words rather than sounds.
- started objecting when I move him where he does not want to be.
- works to get a toy that is out of reach.
- drops objects then looks for them.
- passes objects from one hand to the other.
- likes to "hit" me while I nurse him.

At 7 months, Taylor:

- eats my face and chews on my jaw (or in other words, he kisses me a lot).
- can sit up on his own when he is distracted and only falls over when he is showing off.
- sleeps through the night and occasionally wakes up once a night.
- eats all sorts of vegetables and fruits.
- started wearing his Belgian clothes.
- loves to jump on our lap and in his exersaucer.
- can stand while holding on to furniture.
- got sick for the first time with a runny/stuffy nose.
- hates having his nose wiped.
- started playing the piano.
- started drinking water from a sippy cup.
- got his first haircut.
- said dada and poop, but I don't know if he' has made the connection.
- can move in circles.
- is doing a lot more taking, and it sounds like words rather than sounds.
- started objecting when I move him where he does not want to be.
- works to get a toy that is out of reach.
- drops objects then looks for them.
- passes objects from one hand to the other.
- likes to "help" me feed him by grabbing my hand (messy).
- likes to poop while I feed him.

Taylor eating bananas, and Logan eating Taylor.

Logan and Taylor playing together (and sharing).

Logan with his arm around Taylor. (I did not pose them for this picture - it just happened.)

What I'm looking forward to this month: maybe some crawling, even though I know I might take this back as soon as they do start moving around.